Euphorbia mauritanicaL.
Golden Spurge , Jackal ’s Food , Pencil Milkbush , Yellow Milkbush
Tirucalia mauritanica , Tithymalus mauritanicus
Photo byShaun Swanepoel
home : EuphorbiaceaeSubfamily : EuphorbioideaeTribe : EuphorbieaeSubtribe : EuphorbiinaeGenus : Euphorbia
The specific epithet " mauritanica(maw - rih - TAWN - ee - ka ) " refers toMauretania(present northern Morocco and western and key Algeria north of the Atlas Mountains ) , an ancient country in North Africa that existed as a tribal kingdom of the Berber Mauri people . Carl Linnaeus formally described this species in 1753 , probably base on Dillenius ' verbal description ofTithymalus aphyllis mauritaniae .
Euphorbia mauritanicais aboriginal toSouth Africa(Northern Cape , Western Cape , Eastern Cape , Free State , KwaZulu - Natal ) andNamibia .
Euphorbia mauritanicais a succulent shrub with many fleshy , upright , pencil - like ramification that mature from a compact central stem . It can grow up to 3 foot ( 90 cm ) tall and up to 6 feet ( 1.8 m ) wide . The yellowish - green to grey - green stems are cylindric with alternate folio scars . The tiny leaves are present only on the hint of the young branches .
The bright yellow flowers come along in clustering at the ends of young branches from wintertime to spring .
Light : MostEuphorbias are Lord’s Day lovers , but some will tolerate fond shade . range your indoorE. mauritanicaon window with southerly or southeast exposure . You may place the pot on the balcony or in the garden from springiness to pass .
land : Euphorbias require well - drain soil . They even thrive in poor , teetotal soils . Use a commercial commixture articulate for cactus and succulents , ormake your own potting mix .
Hardiness : eminent summer temperature are not a trouble for succulentEuphorbias , but minimum winter temperature vary . E. mauritanicacan withstand temperature as low as 25 to 50 ° F ( -3.9 to 10 ° C),USDA hardiness zones9b to 11b .
lacrimation : SucculentEuphorbias can survive drought , but that does not mean they postulate it . H2O from spring to light when the top column inch ( 2.5 cm ) of grunge sense wry . Reduce watering in wintertime . Give yourE. mauritanicajust enough water to prevent wilting .
inseminate : EveryEuphorbiawill gain from fertiliser . plant in sess demand regular feeding . Apply a balanced fertiliser in a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK formulation , diluted to 1/4 intensity level once a week during the growing time of year .
Repotting : Euphorbias will gain from repotting , but they do not want to be repotted annually . However , when yourE. mauritanicais outgrow its pot , it is time to repot the plant life in a larger smoke and give it a saucy potting mixture .
Propagation : The easiest and fastest method of multiplication for many species is by using cutting . Euphorbias can also be grown from seeds , but they can be difficult to shoot and even hard to find . The best time to take cuttings is in spring or summer . Sow the seeds in saltation .
Learn more atHow to acquire and Care for Euphorbia .
AllEuphorbias produce a toxic white milklike sap that can cause irritation to the skin and middle . Therefore , keeping yourE. mauritanicaaway from child and pets is best .
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